Ways to Get Rid of Melasma in 2024
Melasma is a skin condition that I commonly see among people over the age of 30 around me. This issue occurs frequently in both men and women. Today, I will discuss scientifically proven methods to get rid of melasma. First, I will talk about what you can do to prevent melasma from occurring in the future if you haven't developed it yet. Next, I will discuss what people with mild melasma can do to alleviate it. Lastly, I will cover ways to manage severe melasma that has persisted for a long time.
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that creates dark, patchy spots on the skin, but it is different from general hyperpigmentation. Melasma is a chronic condition, meaning it is more serious and occurs in deeper layers of the skin.
Ways to Prevent Melasma
Melasma is much more challenging and time-consuming to treat compared to general hyperpigmentation. Therefore, I will first discuss how you can prevent melasma:
Avoid Excessive Heat: This advice is especially for those who spend long hours near stoves or in hot environments. Heat is one of the triggers for melasma. If you must work near a stove for extended periods, keep a damp cloth nearby and periodically press it gently on your face. This will help keep the temperature on your face from rising too much and reduce the risk of melasma. Alternatively, you could use a cooling gel stored in the refrigerator. If you don’t have a cold-related issue, placing a small ice cube on your face can also help lower the temperature.
Maintain Hormonal Balance: If you have any thyroid-related hormonal issues, they should be taken very seriously. Hormonal imbalances are one of the causes of melasma, which is why many people experience it after pregnancy or menopause.
Avoid Birth Control Pills: If anyone in your family has melasma, you are genetically at higher risk of developing it as well. In such cases, my advice to women is to avoid birth control pills as a method of contraception and consider other methods. Birth control pills alter hormone levels and increase the risk of melasma.
Avoid Skin Steaming: I often see advice on the internet suggesting steaming as part of a skincare routine. However, steaming is very harmful to the skin. Regular steaming can damage the skin's bacteria and contribute to the development of melasma. Therefore, avoid steaming your skin at home or in beauty salons.
Avoid Products That Cause Skin Trauma: Harsh soaps and whitening products can create trauma to the skin, potentially leading to melasma. Recently, I have seen dangerous campaigns online suggesting that higher melanin levels increase the risk of melasma and that reducing melanin through whitening treatments will prevent melasma. This is not true. Melasma can occur in anyone, regardless of skin tone or melanin levels. Using whitening treatments can actually cause more skin problems, including melasma. Be cautious about such misleading advice.
Avoid Sun Exposure: Whatever you do to treat melasma will be in vain if you don’t use sun protection. Scientific evidence shows that visible light from the sun is one of the main causes of melasma. If you can’t afford sunscreen, try to protect yourself with an umbrella, hat, and sunglasses as much as possible.
Ways to Manage Mild Melasma
Now, let’s discuss what people with mild melasma caused by hormonal changes can do:
Managing Mild Melasma: I will mention some products and ingredients that need to be applied to the skin, which do not require a prescription. This part of the post is crucial, so please pay attention. I will explain why at the end.
Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is an effective ingredient for melasma, proven by numerous scientific studies. However, it is a potent ingredient with some limitations:
- Without a doctor’s prescription, you can use products with up to 2% hydroquinone.
- It should not be used continuously for long periods. For example, use it for three months, then take a one-month break before resuming.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use it.
- A 2% hydroquinone product available in our country is the (Cos De Baha 2% Hydrocortisone Brightening Serum). Apply 2 or 3 drops of the serum to a clean face, wait for a while, and then apply a moisturizer. Remember to use it over the entire face and not as a spot treatment.
Azelaic Acid: Azelaic acid is another powerful ingredient effective for melasma. It is also safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and can be used continuously without side effects. Without a prescription, you can use products with up to 10% azelaic acid. Two such products are:
- Cos de Baha 10% Azelaic Acid Serum
- Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Use them according to the same method.
Retinol: Retinol is an excellent ingredient for treating not only melasma but any skin issues. It can be used for life, except during pregnancy. It is also safe during breastfeeding and has no major side effects. However, its use should be gradually increased, for example, once a week in the first week, twice in the second week, and three times in the third week.
Other Brightening Ingredients: Vitamin C can also help manage mild melasma. However, it is not strong enough to control melasma on its own. It can be used as a complementary ingredient along with one of the three main ingredients discussed earlier.
Ways to Treat Long-Term Melasma
If your melasma is several years old and has spread across a significant portion of your face, resembling marks, you will need professional treatment to reduce it. Consult a dermatologist first, as no skincare product alone will be effective in this situation.
Dermatologists typically use three types of treatments for this kind of melasma:
Topical Treatments: These are creams applied directly to the skin. Always consult a doctor before using any cream.
Oral Medications: This involves taking specific medications as advised by a dermatologist.
Laser Therapy: This includes treatments like IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). Some people may respond well to one type of treatment, while others may require a combination of two or three treatments.
Three Important Facts About Melasma Treatment:
For deep, long-term melasma, using over-the-counter skincare products from the second chapter is a waste of money and time.
Melasma does not have a permanent cure. It can be reduced through treatments or skincare products, but if you resume sun exposure, it will likely return.
There is no short-term solution for melasma. Claims of removing melasma in a week are fraudulent marketing strategies. Melasma treatment can take weeks to years. Therefore, avoid expecting quick results.
Final Words:
Take care of your physical and mental health with patience. Mental health is crucial for resolving any skin issue. Try to stay as stress-free as possible and love yourself as you are. That’s all for today. See you in the next article. Until then, take care. Thank you!
